‘ ‘ ‘ The federal government wants to clean up the county’s waste. ‘ ‘ ‘ The U. S…. ‘ ‘ ‘ The federal government wants to clean up the county’s waste. ‘ ‘ ‘ The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency granted $600,000 in funding to the 3 Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Program, which works to improve the quality of the county’s water. The program will use the money to build new facilities that will help stop the overflow of Allegheny County sewer systems. ‘ ‘ ‘ Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., had requested the money to improve the county’s sewer infrastructure in his campaign this fall. ‘ ‘ ‘ Matt Dinkel, Doyle’s press secretary, said that $3 billion is needed, but so far they’ve only raised $30 million. ‘ ‘ ‘ Economics aside, it’s a public health issue,’ said Dinkel. ‘ ‘ ‘ In Allegheny County, the sewer water mixes with rain water, bypassing wastewater treatment, said John Schombert, executive director of the 3 Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Program. The combined sewer allows sewage to run into rivers, streams and creeks. ‘ ‘ ‘ The overflow does not affect drinking water, said Guillermo Cole, a spokesman for the Allegheny County Health Department. ‘ ‘ ‘ Dinkel said that Allegheny County’s sewage overflow seems miniscule when compared to other places throughout the country. ‘ ‘ ‘ However, Dinkel said that in March 1997, the EPA encouraged Allegheny County to improve its sewer system. ‘ ‘ ‘ The 3 Rivers Wet Water Demonstration Program is a joint venture sponsored by the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, a wastewater treatment center on Pittsburgh’s Northside, and the Allegheny County Health Department. The two created the program in 1998 to combat sewage overflow. ‘ ‘ ‘ Schombert said even with government funding, the infrastructure changes will take until 2026 to meet EPA standards. ‘ ‘ ‘ Schombert said that each year there are about 40 to 75 overflows in Allegheny County. Schombert described the system as ‘very large and very sensitive’ and noted that even during a period of moderate rain, there is likely to be a sewer overflow. ‘ ‘ ‘ When the sewer system overflows, sewage and storm water spill into surrounding waterways. In one overflow, Schombert suspects there is seven times more storm water than sewage, which causes it to be diluted. ‘ ‘ ‘ Cole said that contact with contaminated water might cause health problems. ‘ ‘ ‘ The primary concern is infection risk for people who use our rivers and streams for recreation,’ he said. ‘ ‘ ‘ Cole stated that people who participate in recreational activities on the water are exposed to viruses and bacteria. ‘ ‘ ‘ To prevent illnesses, the Allegheny County Health Department issues a River Water Advisory that goes from May 15 until the end of September every year. Orange flags along waterways indicate where water is contaminated. ‘ ‘ ‘ Flags are only removed after water has been clear of toxins present from sewer overflow.